"On this International Day, I pledge the full support of the UN system to cooperate with indigenous peoples, including their media, to promote the full implementation of the Declaration.

I also call on Member States and the mainstream media to create and maintain opportunities for indigenous peoples to articulate their perspectives, priorities and aspirations."

In the five years since the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, communities and individuals have been taking advantage of the reach of traditional and new media to tell their story and make their voices heard.

The focus of this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices". From community radio and television to feature films and documentaries, from video art and newspapers to the internet and social media, indigenous peoples are using these powerful tools to challenge mainstream narratives, bring human rights violations to international attention and forge global solidarity. They are also developing their own media to reflect indigenous values and fight against myths and misconceptions.

Indigenous voices are recounting compelling stories of how they are combating centuries of injustice and discrimination, and advocating for the resources and rights that will preserve their cultures, languages, spirituality and traditions. They offer an alternative perspective on development models that exclude the indigenous experience. They promote the mutual respect and intercultural understanding that is a precondition for a society without poverty and prejudice.

On this International Day, I pledge the full support of the UN system to cooperate with indigenous peoples, including their media, to promote the full implementation of the Declaration. I also call on Member States and the mainstream media to create and maintain opportunities for indigenous peoples to articulate their perspectives, priorities and aspirations.

Let us use the media – indigenous and non-indigenous, and especially new outlets – to create bridges and establish a truly intercultural world, where diversity is celebrated; a world where different cultures not only coexist but value each other for their contributions and potential.

In light of this year’s theme “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices”, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, have stressed the vital role that media can play in the respect for, and the promotion and protection of, indigenous peoples’ rights.http://www.un.org/en/events/indigenousday/

The right of indigenous peoples to establish their own media in their own languages is a key right in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (article 16). The Expert Mechanism, in its 2012 study on indigenous peoples’ languages and cultures, highlights that media can be an essential tool for the revitalisation of indigenous languages, especially in the education of indigenous children.

The Special Rapporteur, James Anaya, has similarly emphasized the importance of media for maintaining indigenous languages as well as for exercising and defending indigenous peoples’ rights. Indigenous media can reduce the marginalisation and misinterpretation of indigenous voices, which has been detrimental to their attempts to secure an understanding of, and respect for, their rights within the broader societies in which they live.

Indigenous peoples are increasingly using the media and social networks to raise awareness about and to defend rights that are threatened by a variety of activities, especially, in the experts’ experience, activities related to extractive industries taking place in or near indigenous peoples’ traditional territories. Actions on the part of indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, and other advocates have increasingly helped to draw attention to the devastating impacts that many of these activities have had or could have on indigenous peoples.

The Expert Mechanism and the Special Rapporteur noted that extractive industries active on or near indigenous peoples’ territories have created some of the most pressing issues facing indigenous peoples globally today.

The Chairperson of the Expert Mechanism, Chief Wilton Littlechild, noted “the need for all parties, including business, to ensure that extractive activities which can impact on indigenous peoples, their communities and their lands, territories and resources do not commence without the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in associated decision making.”

The Special Rapporteur also emphasized “the need for an approach regarding extractive industries that comprehensively takes account of the primary substantive rights that may be affected by potential projects, including rights to property, culture, religion, health, physical well-being and the right to set and pursue their own priorities for development as part of their fundamental right to self-determination.”

Mr. Anaya stressed that consultation and consent, along with other safeguard mechanisms, including impact assessments, mitigation measures and compensation or benefit-sharing, are essential to protecting indigenous peoples’ rights when natural resource extraction activites may affect those rights.

Marking International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and the 2012 theme of Indigenous Media, Empowering Voices, Commissioner Gooda said Australia’s Indigenous media outlets played a valuable role in challenging stereotypes.

“Australia’s Indigenous media outlets have a vision and breadth which gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples the information we need on the things we’re interested in, through an Indigenous lens.

“The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called on nations around the world to create and maintain opportunities for Indigenous peoples to articulate their perspectives, priorities and aspirations,” he said.

“I call today on Australian governments to support these efforts by fully implementing the Declaration.”

Commissioner Gooda said the Declaration, which provided a blueprint for Indigenous peoples and governments around the world to respect the rights and roles of Indigenous peoples, would be the main focus of the newly created Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Dialogue Group.

“I welcome the establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Dialogue Group (ATSISDG). It is an important development in the protection and promotion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights and interests,” he said.

“The ATSISDG will operate as a ‘think tank’ and focus on strategy, collaboration and information sharing – particularly in relation to ensuring implementation of the Declaration.”

Commissioner Gooda said the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was an opportune time to take stock on where Indigenous peoples are in relation to the key challenges they confront.

“Let’s not forget that Australia is not alone in our efforts to improve outcomes for our Indigenous people in areas such as culture, education, health, human rights and economic development,” he said.

“International Days such as today fuel international cooperation around these issues and provide not only practical lessons from around the world but also unite us in hope.”

Up to the minute information on human rights is now available on twitter at twitter.com/AusHumanRights.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Celebrates World Indigenous Day

OTTAWA, Aug. 9, 2012

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo today acknowledged the United Nations International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, highlighting the need for and benefits of political and economic participation of Indigenous peoples here in Canada and around the globe.

"On a day that we celebrate the cultures, traditions and languages of Indigenous peoples around the world, we recognize the important shared histories and experiences of all Indigenous peoples globally and the importance of our rights and responsibilities to environmental sustainability and the planet's survival now and in the future," said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. "First Nations across Canada continue to press the federal government to work with us to advance the standards articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which set out a guide for respecting and implementing Indigenous rights, responsibilities and jurisdiction to achieve self-governance, environmental and economic sustainability and self-sufficiency through mutual respect and partnership. We join our voices in full support and encouragement to all Indigenous peoples in their efforts and their particular struggles to achieve these goals."

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is commemorated annually on August 9 in recognition of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982. The International Day was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994.

This year's theme, "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices", speaks to the importance of Indigenous media and Indigenous voices in challenging stereotypes, and aims to help forge Indigenous identities and effective communication to influence the social and political agenda.

Check out the live web cast of a special event at UN Headquarters in New York today featuring speakers and videos from Indigenous media organizations at http://webtv.un.org/. You can also follow regular updates on Twitter at #UNIndigenousDay.

ONWA Celebrates 2012 International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is proud to celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Celebrated every year on August 9th, the day was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1994 in recognition of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations.

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated to promote and protect the rights of the world’s Indigenous population. The UN has identified this year’s theme as ‘Indigenous media and it’s role in helping to preserve Indigenous people’s cultures, challenge stereotypes and influence the social and political agenda.’

“Media is a powerful tool that can strengthen our Aboriginal communities through public education and positive messaging surrounding our contributions, culture, history and traditions,” says Betty Kennedy, ONWA Executive Director. “ONWA is proud to celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and believes that the media, we can help correct the systemic injustice, discrimination and racism that continues to plague the approximate 370 million Indigenous peoples around the world.”

ONWA hopes that people around the world will use this day to reflect on the meaningful contributions that Indigenous peoples have brought to our communities and serve as a reminder that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and equality.

“ONWA believes that by working together with the media and other Indigenous groups, we can continue to erradicate the negative stereotypes that still unfortunately exist, and instead shine a much needed light on the worth of our First Nations communities, with women and their families being at the forefront,” says Kennedy.

For more information about ONWA and the services provided to Aboriginal women and their families, please visit www.onwa-tbay.ca.

CHIEFS OF ONTARIO SUPPORTS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Toronto, ON — On August 9, 2012, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrating the power of the Indigenous voice through print, broadcast and online media. The theme of this year’s International Day, “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices,” explores the powerful ways in which Indigenous Peoples are using media to challenge stereotypes, communicate identity, and convey their unique stories and perspectives to the world at large.

As an organization that strives to ensure that the voices of our Peoples and their Nations are always heard and respected, the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) supports this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and would like to highlight the accomplishments of Indigenous media here in Ontario, and abroad.

“Too often the mainstream media ignores the real accomplishments and struggles of Indigenous Peoples around the globe. Fortunately, there are numerous magazines, newspapers, radio and television stations, and online news sites owned and operated by Indigenous Peoples that are beginning to tell our side of the story,” said Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy.

“The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), Aboriginal Voices Radio, and online and print publications such as Anishinabek News, Wawatay, and Turtle Island News are just a few examples of how First Nations in Ontario keep up to date about what’s happening on Turtle Island. The greater challenge that we now face is the need to tell the world who we are and in turn gather greater support for our political and economic priorities.”

The Regional Chief believes that by coming together and sharing their stories and perspectives, Indigenous Peoples can articulate their sacred relationships, cultures, histories, languages, and collectively push for their Treaties and their inherent rights to be fully recognized and respected. Indigenous voices can no longer be silenced.

On August 9, a special event will take place at UN Headquarters in New York featuring Indigenous media organizations and speakers, and will be webcast live.